Colchester

Colchester's population expanded in the 10 years leading up to the latest census. Data from the census also show there were changes in religion, housing tenure and marriage.

The population passed 170,000

Between the last two censuses, the population of Colchester increased by 11%, from almost 156,000 to 173,000.

The addition of about 17,000 people means this area's population increased faster than the rate of growth across England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Colchester was home to, on average, 3.8 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was higher than the average across Eastof England

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across Eastof England, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Colchester

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Colchester increased by two years, from 36 to 38 years.

This growing rural area had a lower average age than Eastof England and remained slightly younger than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The fall in age was because of an increase of about 5,700 people between the ages of 60 and 69 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by about 1,000.

About 11% of people in Colchester are aged between 60 and 69 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, East and Colchester by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Religion in Colchester

The number of people in Colchester that described themselves as having no religion increased from about 29,000 in 2001 to about 54,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 18% to 31% of the local population.

The percentage increased by more than the average across Eastof England (from 17% to 28%) and the average across England (from 15% to 25%).

The number of people in Colchester that described themselves as Christian decreased from just over 110,000 in 2001 to about 100,000 in 2011 (from 72% to 58%). The number of people who did not disclose their religious affiliation increased from about 12,000 to about 13,000. However, as a percentage of the total population, this represented a decrease from 7.8% to 7.3%.

About 2,800 people (0.8%) said they were Muslim, up from just under 1,200 in 2001 (1.6%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the religious profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between religious groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population without a religion in Colchester increased by 13 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, East and Colchester by religion, March 2001 and March 2011

Disability in Colchester

The percentage of Colchester residents whose day-to-day activities are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability increased from 2.6% to 3.2% in the 10 years leading up to 2011.

In 2011, just over 1 in 16 (6.4%) reported being limited a little in their day-to-day activities, compared with 6.8% in 2001. The percentage of Colchester residents whose day-to-day activities are not limited by a long-term health problem or disability decreased from 91% to 90%.

The proportion of people who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 2.7% in 2001 to 3.4% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 3.1% to 3.8%.

The proportion of people who are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability was lower than across Eastof England

Percentage of usual residents that reported being considerably limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in Eastof England and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of privately rented homes increased in Colchester at a faster rate than across Eastof England.

In Colchester, the proportion of private renting increased from 11% in 2001 to 19% in 2011. During the same period, the regional proportion increased from 8.6% to 15%.

Across Eastof England, the share of privately rented homes increased from 8.6% to 15%.

The rate of social housing in Colchester fell from 15% to 14%, while the rate of home ownership decreased from 72% to 66%.

Private renting in Colchester increased by 8.1 percentage points

Percentage of households in Colchester, Eastof England and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

More single people in Colchester

The percentage of single people in Colchester increased from 30% to 35% in the 10 years leading up to 2011.

In 2011, just under one in two (47%) people aged 16 and over said they were married, compared with 52% in 2001. The percentage of adults in Colchester that had divorced or separated from a married or civil partner increased from 11% to 12%.

The proportion of people who had never been married or in a civil partnership increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 27% in 2001 to 31% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 30% to 35%.

The proportion of people who had never married or entered a civil partnership was higher than across Eastof England

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that said they were single across local authority areas in Eastof England and the average across England, March 2011

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